SEOUL: The NC Dinos, a prominent team in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), have presented a significant offer to American pitcher Erick Fedde, aiming to retain him following his acclaimed MVP season. This move reflects the team's intent to secure the top-performing right-hander for future seasons.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the team's general manager, to Yonhap News Agency, the Dinos have proposed what they consider their best possible offer to Fedde within the KBO's regulations. This development comes shortly after Fedde's recognition as the MVP for the 2023 regular season. In his debut season in the KBO, Fedde distinguished himself by leading with 20 wins, 209 strikeouts, and a 2.00 ERA, achieving the rare feat of a pitching Triple Crown as the first foreign player in the league.
The announcement follows the recent awarding of the MVP trophy to Fedde at the Korea Baseball Organization Awards ceremony in Seoul on November 27, 2023. The general manager mentioned that Fedde's team is currently deliberating the offer, with a decision requested promptly due to the league's rules on foreign player contracts.
Fedde, managed by renowned agent Scott Boras, earned a salary of US$1 million in 2023, the maximum for a first-year foreign player in the KBO. His standout performance resulted in a dominant MVP win, securing 102 out of 111 media votes.
Following the award ceremony, Fedde expressed his anticipation for the offseason, acknowledging uncertainties but trusting in his agent to negotiate the best path forward for his career and family.
KBO regulations permit teams to have up to three foreign players, with a combined salary cap of $4 million. This cap can increase based on the tenure of foreign players, as seen with the recent contract extension for American pitcher Casey Kelly by the LG Twins.
Fedde, formerly with the Washington Nationals, has garnered interest from teams in Major League Baseball (MLB) and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). His situation echoes previous KBO MVPs who transitioned to MLB or NPB, illustrating the high demand for top talent from the KBO.
As the off-season progresses, Fedde's decision will be closely watched, especially considering the trend of significant contracts for foreign players in the KBO, such as Drew Rucinski's $2 million deal with the Dinos before the 2022 season.